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Q&A: Tell me about your first gym experience

I need your help! I’m doing a story about how to choose a fitness center and what to do once you’ve joined. You can answer in the comments here or on Facebook. The story is aimed at people who are out of shape and/or are new to fitness. Now, fitness/the gym scene/running/etc. have always been a part of life for some of you — I have a question for you in a minute. But here are a few questions for those of you who discovered things later as an adult:

• What did you wish you knew when you joined a gym for the first time?• Were there any instructions or answers that were difficult to get from staff?• What classes, equipment, services, or other aspect was the most intimidating?• After you joined, did you discover or experience something that made you wish you’d joined another gym instead?

Now for you fitness lifers (or anyone who’s joined a gym):

• What are your top five factors in choosing a fitness center? For instance, four my must-haves are proximity, fairly low-cost dues, an indoor track and yoga on its group exercise schedule. If the place has a wet sauna, too, I’m there. What about for you?• What gadgets or programs do you use to keep you on top of progress?• What do you do to motivate yourself to get in the car and go to the gym?

I look forward to your insight! The story is due to run the second week of January as part of a health package in The Dallas Morning News.